SOLUTION: John was asked how old he is. He said in 2 years I will be twice as old as I was 5 years ago. I guessed 12, am I right?

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Question 823860: John was asked how old he is. He said in 2 years I will be twice as old as I was 5 years ago.
I guessed 12, am I right?
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, algebrahouse.com:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You are correct. It is 12. Here's why


Age 2 yrs in future = 2*(age in past 5 years ago)


So the equation is x%2B2=2%28x-5%29 and solving for it gives you...


x%2B2=2%28x-5%29 Start with the given equation.


x%2B2=2x-10 Distribute.


x=2x-10-2 Subtract 2 from both sides.


x-2x=-10-2 Subtract 2x from both sides.


-x=-10-2 Combine like terms on the left side.


-x=-12 Combine like terms on the right side.


x=%28-12%29%2F%28-1%29 Divide both sides by -1 to isolate x.


x=12 Reduce.


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Answer:

So the solution is x=12

Answer by algebrahouse.com(1659) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x = age now

x + 2 = 2(x - 5) {in 2 years, he will be two times what he was 5 years ago}
x + 2 = 2x - 10 {used distributive property}
2 = x - 10 {subtracted x from each side}
x = 12 {added 10 to each side}

John is 12

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